Feast by Nigella Lawson

This is indeed a feast for the senses and is a book that will have the staying power of Nigella's first cookbook, How To Eat. At GWG we think this is the perfect Christmas present for anyone you know who loves cooking.

Nigella has always written from the heart. As you read through the sumptuous pages, her silken tone is never far away. It is a book perfect for autumn days taking you through the rituals of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Passover, Hanukkah, Eid, wedding celebrations, funeral wakes. It is a multi cultural canter through celebrations and commiserations where eating is an integral part of these occasions. Needless to say, it is well researched by the writer herself. Every page beckons the reader who does not want to forego one paragraph for fear of missing out on one of Nigella's gems. It is not often that you come across a cookery book (apart from How to Eat) where you want to try every recipe. Feast is one and perhaps the only one.

Nigella eschewed photography in How to Eat and despite the quality of writing similarly found in Feast, photographs and especially these ones here by James Merrell can only add to the joy of reading and tickling your appetite. For the less confident cook, photographs do give an ideal to work towards, which can be hugely useful and at times, very depressing when it all goes horribly wrong. Nigella's recipes have always been simple to follow and can usually withstand the attempts of the most abominable of cooks.

Nigella subjects you to wicked temptations, as she admits to snacking on yesterday's pasta, leaning against the fridge, willing you to join her in rustling up spaghetti frittata. Whether you are ravenous for a midnight feast or thrilling your children's friends at Halloween with a monstrous collection of dishes, there are recipes to suit all tastes. And you've got to have respect for someone who loves her carbs. Back-from-the-Bar is a mulch of fried left over potatoes, peas, bacon, eggs and cheese, which is perfect for soaking up excess alcohol swilling around your stomach after a night out.

For Nigella's chocolate cake fans, there is a whole chapter devoted to the cause, each recipe more gooey than the last. For a bit of Pavlov's therapy, think quadruple chocolate loaf cake, chocolate gingerbread, chocolate Guinness cake and see what happens to your taste buds. Prepare to drool.

Some of the recipes are a development on those that have appeared before. Ham cooked in coke has now developed into a recipe that sees it partnered with cherry coke. Cranberry bakewell is reincarnate with a star studded royal icing. Perfect. And the list of old and new could go on ….. and on.

Nigella's style of cooking is uncomplicated, unpretentious and downright delicious. Feast is a triumph and begs the question, how does she do it?

Publication details:
472 pp. Photography by James Merrell. £25
Published by Chatto & Windus
ISBN 0701175214
2004

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